ST. CATHERINE WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED PENSION FRAUD
Detectives assigned to the Constabulary Financial Unit (CFU) of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) arrested an administrative assistant at a government establishment on Thursday, April 10, following an investigation into alleged fraudulent pension payments.
The CFU team visited the establishment at about 10:00 a.m. and apprehended a 49-year-old woman from a Garvey Meade address in St Catherine.
The investigation revealed that between March 2017 and May 2018, another government body reportedly made seventeen (17) payments totalling just over JMD 1 million to the woman’s account, intended for three pensioners. However, the accused withdrew the funds shortly after they were deposited. Investigators later discovered that the pensioners were deceased.
Following her arrest, she was transported to the Financial Investigation Division (FID), where she underwent a question-and-answer interview in the presence of her attorney. She was subsequently charged with Possession of Criminal Property, Receiving Stolen Property, and Conspiracy to Defraud.
Superintendent of Police Victor Barrett of C-TOC stated that the police will continue to uncover fraudulent schemes impacting the economy.
“The issue of fraud continues to have a significant impact on our society, and there has to be a greater look beyond just the fraud committed to examine the deleterious psychological and emotional impact on victims. Victims often experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, and loss of trust. Family members may also be affected, feeling guilty for not protecting their loved ones.”
Superintendent Barrett further emphasised the shocking nature of this case, adding, “While all cases are serious to us and stand on their merit, to make a claim on a deceased person is implicitly immoral.”
The accused was offered bail in the sum of JM$100,000 and is scheduled to appear in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on May 29, 2025.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing.
